SERVICES
The Westchester Consulting Group uses qualitative and quantitative research and policy analysis techniques and provides research, consulting, and technical assistance services to execute a range of long-term care and disability finance, policy and program and quality assurance engagements. Our goal is to deliver practical, measurable, and high value-added results to public and private sector clients. We work closely with clients to understand their business environment, identify issues and opportunities, develop and execute innovative and effective policies, programs and solutions to problems, and establish performance measurement tools. No matter how complex the issue - from strategic planning, policy and program development and implementation to technical assistance, policy analysis and program evaluation - our skills and experience effectively link research to results.
The following examples illustrate this approach.
RESEARCH AND POLICY ANALYSIS
Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, Topeka, KS
- August 2008 - June 2009
Under the Kansas Self Direction/Budget Authority Study, assisted the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, in collaboration with the KS Departments of Aging and Health Policy Authority, in conducting an environmental scan of five Medicaid §1915(c) HCBS waiver programs and the WORK Program as they relate to the provision of self-directed support services and researching and reporting on promising practices in US related to the provision of participant-directed services and Financial Management Services (FMS). Environmental scan activities included a review of waiver and Work program documentation, interviewing waiver and program Work managers, conducting focus groups with FMS providers, program participants and families in six regions of the state; and developing, conducting a mail survey of FMS providers regarding key operations features and issues and analyzing and summarizing the results. A final report was prepared and presented that summarized study findings and recommendations for reforming policy and practice related to providing participant-directed services and FMS under Medicaid §1915(c) HCBS waivers and Medicaid Buy-In programs.
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Baltimore, MD
- May 2005 - March 2006
As a subject expert, assisted the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in conducting an analysis of the Personal Assistance Services (PAS) programs in Maryland and PAS Programs for nonworking and working adults with disabilities in 10 selected states under subcontract with Abt Associates, Inc. in Cambridge. MA.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Washington, DC
- October 2004 - December 2005
As a subject expert, assisted in preparing a National Compendium on Medicaid-funded Home Modification and Assistive Technology Policy and Practices in 50 states under subcontract to Abt Associates, Inc. in Cambridge, MA. - January 2003 - June 2004
Under a sub-contract with the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, conducted a national research study entitled: Accessing Workers' Compensation Insurance for Consumer-Employed Personal Assistance Service Workers: Issues, Challenges and Promising Practices. The study identified issues related to access, affordability and promising practices and analyzed current case law. Initiated contact with national workers' compensation insurance organizations and associations to raise their awareness to the key issues and to identify opportunities for systems change with the goal of making workers' compensation insurance more accessible and affordable to household employers.
POLICY AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Retardation and now Office of Developmental Programs, Harrisburg, PA
- July 2002 - Present
Assisting PA OMR (now the Office of Developmental Programs) in developing, implementing and developing quality monitoring systems for Vendor F/EA and Agency with Choice FMS. Activities have included, developing and implementing Vendor F/EA and Agency with Choice Bulletins, Vendor F/EA FMS Readiness Review and Ongoing Performance Review Protocols, Agency with Choice Self Assessment and Ongoing Performance Review Protocols, Individual and Representative Satisfaction Survey, drafting IFB documents, conducting in-service education seminars for Office and county administrator staff, and providing ongoing technical assistance to Policy and Operations Divisions staff.
Developing RFPs, IFBs and RFIs, Provider Standards and Contracts for Various Models of Financial Management Services
- January 1998 - Present
Assisted the following state and local government agencies with developing and implement RFPs, RFIs, provider standards and contracts for Financial Management Services (Government or Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent and/or Agency with Choice models).- Arkansas Division of Aging and Adult Service (V/FEA RFP)
- Blair County Offices of Mental Health/Mental Retardation/Drug & Alcohol (RFP)
- District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance (Provider Standards and RFP)
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs (RFP)
- GovConnect/First Data Government Solutions, Ponte Verde, Florida (Contract Review)
- Granite State Independent Living, Concord, New Hampshire (RFP)
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Medicaid (Provider Standards and RFP)
- Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities (RFP)
- Kentucky Department of Mental Retardation Services (RFP)
- Minnesota Department of Human Services (RFI)
- New Jersey Division of Disability Services (RFP)
- New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department, Division of Elderly and Disabled Services (RFP)
- Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Retardation (now Office of Developmental Programs) (IFB)
- Virginia Department of Mental Retardation Services (RFP)
- West Virginia Bureau of Medical Services (Standards and RFP)
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation National Program Office, Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, MA
- October 2004 - September 2008
Provided consulting and technical assistance services to the RWJ Cash & Counseling National Program Office and 12 Cash & Counseling replication state grantees (AL, IA, IL, KY, MS, MN, NM, PA, RI, VT, WA State, WV) on developing and implementing participant-directed support service programs using Government and Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (F/EA) FMS.
- January 1999 - September 2004
Provided consulting and technical assistance services to the three original demonstration states (AK, FL, NJ) on designing and implementing effective Fiscal/Employer Agent providers for their self-directed support service programs. Also provided ongoing training and technical assistance on federal and state labor and employment tax and worker's compensation insurance rules and regulations and CMS policies and procedures related to Government and Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent FMS to grantees and the RWJ Foundation Cash & Counseling National Program Office. Participated with staff from the US Department of Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation on an IRS Workgroup on Fiscal/Employer Agent FMS Providers.
Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Augusta, Maine
- April 2003 - May 2004
Assisted the Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services in preparing a renewal of the state's MaineCare §1915(c) HCBS Physically Disabled Waiver.
Granite State Independent Living, Concord, New Hampshire
- October 2001 - March 2005
Assisted Granite State Independent Living through the receipt of a CMS Real Choice C-PASS and Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, in designing and implementing Agency with Choice Financial Management Services for the state's Medicaid §1915(c) HCB-ECI Waiver funded self-directed personal care services. Tasks included:- Assisted GSIL with reviewing and commenting on Medicaid HCB-ECI waiver legislation,
- Drafted Medicaid certification rules for Other Qualified Agency (Agencies with Choice) providers,
- Developed and executed two Requests for Proposals (RFP) for organizations that wished to become Other Qualified Agencies in New Hampshire,
- Prepared a statewide policies and procedures manual for Other Qualified Agencies and conducted two regional training sessions,
- Prepared departmental operations summaries for GSIL to develop a policies and procedures manual for its organization,
- Prepared a certification application for GSIL to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to become an Other Qualified Agency, and
- Prepared a consumer/representative satisfaction survey related to the provision of Medicaid-funded personal care services
Minnesota Department of Human Services, St. Paul, MN
- September 2002 - June 2004
Assisted the Department in developing a comprehensive system for providing Financial Management Services and Supports Brokerage services to elders and individuals with disabilities of all ages eligible who use Medicaid-funded self-directed support services. Tasks included assisting in designing the system, preparing a Request for Information and service/provider standards for Fiscal Support Entities (FSEs), and conducting a series of training sessions and 20 FSE initial Readiness Reviews.
TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, Baltimore, MD
- December 2008 - Present
Provided technical assistance as a CMS TA consultant to states related to the development and implementation of Medicaid §1915(c) HCBS waivers that offer the self-directed service option, and Financial Management and Information & Assistance Services in support of self-direction. To date, states include, AZ, DC, MO, NV, VA, WV, WI and WY.
TA Consulting on Self Direction, Financial Management Services and Information & Assistance Services to Public and Private Sector Clients
- January 1998 - Present
Conducted training and in-service technical assistance seminars on developing and implementing self-directed support services and Financial Management and Information & Assistance services to the following public and private clients.- Abilities in Motion, Reading, PA
- Bucks County PA Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD
- Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation, Hartford, CT
- Delaware Division of Mental Retardation, Dover, DE
- First Data Government Solutions, Cincinnati, OH
- Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services, Atlanta, GA
- Georgia Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, GA
- Jewish Board of Family & Children's Services, Inc. New York, New York
- Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, Division of Community Supports and Services, Topeka, KS
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Medicaid, Boise, ID
- Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Springfield, IL
- Maine Department of Human Services, Augusta, ME
- Maryland Association of Community Services, Baltimore, MD
- Massachusetts Division of Medical Assistance (MassHealth) Massachusetts Division of Medical Assistance, Boston, MA
- Minnesota Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, Minneapolis, MN
- Minnesota Department of Human Services (Division of Developmental Disability Services), Minneapolis, MN
- Nebraska Division of Agency and Disability Services, Lincoln, NE
- New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Albany, NY
- Ocean State Community Resources, East Providence, Rhode Island
- Ohio Department of Aging, Columbus, OH
- Oregon Department of Human Services, Seniors and People with Disabilities, Salem, OR
- Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Administration, Harrisburg, PA
- Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Retardation, Harrisburg, PA
- Public Partnerships, LLC, Boston, MA
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation National Program Office (including original C&C Project (AR, FL and NJ) and Replication Project (AL, IL, IA, KY, MI, MN, NM, PA, RI, VT, WA, WV), Chestnut Hills, MA
- SAM, Inc., Reading, PA
- Seven Hills Foundation, Worcester, MA
- University of Iowa, Center for Disabilities and Development, Des Moines, IA
- Venango County Office of Mental Health- Mental Retardation, Franklin, PA
- Vermont Department of Developmental and Mental Health Services, Waterbury, VT
- West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Morgantown, WV
The Lewin Group, Falls Church, VA
- October 2005 - September 2010
Assisted with the development and operation of the CMS National Direct Service Workforce Resource Center as a member of the Technical Assistance Team under a subcontract with The Lewin Group in Falls Church, VA. A primary goal of the Center is to provide information, resource and direct assistance to state and local governments, not-for-profit organizations, employers and CMS grantees and initiatives seeking to improve recruitment, training and retention of direct support professionals. - January - December 2009
Provided technical assistance to the U.S. Administration on Aging on the AoA Technical Assistance and Research Project under contract with the Lewin Group.
Rutgers University Center for Health Policy, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- January 2004 - December 2005
Member of the National State-to-State Technical Assistance Program's consulting staff responsible for providing technical assistance to FY 2003 CMS Real Choice Systems Change grantees on designing, implementing and evaluating Financial Management Services for self-directed support service programs.
ILRU, Houston, Texas
- October 2004 - September 2007
Member of the National State-to-State Technical Assistance Program's consulting staff responsible for providing technical assistance to FY 2004 CMS Real Choice System Change grantees on financial management service issues.
PROGRAM EVALUATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD
- October 2007 - September 2011
Member of the CMS National Balancing Indicators (NBIC) Project team assisting with developing the NBIC Conceptual Framework, initial set of indicators to assess states efforts in balancing their long-term care service delivery system (institutional and home and community-base services) and scoring system under contract with Abt Associates, Inc. in Cambridge, MA. - October 2005 - September 2011
As a subject expert, site visit leader and member of the Systems Transformation Evaluation and Reporting Project Team, assisted in evaluating the systems and impacts of the Fiscal Year 2005 (FY05) Real Choice Systems Change (RCSC) Grants in LA and MA, and FY 06 RCSC Grants in New York and Virginia and providing technical assistance to these grantees regarding strategic planning, evaluation strategies and outcome measures and evaluating their Grants activities and outcomes under contract to Abt Associates, Inc. in Cambridge, MA. - October 2006 - September 2011
Project director for the CMS RCSC Person-Centered Planning Implementation Grants (18 grants) evaluating their Grant activities and outcomes under contract to Abt Associates in Cambridge, MA.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation National Program Office, Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, MA
Conducted initial Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent FMS Readiness Reviews for the 12 replication state grantees.
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, MassHealth, Boston, MA
- March - December 2005
Evaluated the operations of four Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent FMS providers serving individuals enrolled in the Massachusetts Medicaid PCA Program and assisting with the development and implementation of a phase-out plan to terminate operations of one entity by December 31, 2005 under a subcontract with DVallis, PC.
Minnesota Department of Human Services, St. Paul Minnesota
- September 2004 - September 2004
Conducted Fiscal Service Entity (FSE) initial readiness reviews of 20 FSE applicants for the Department of Human Services.
Alpha One Independent Living Center, Portland, Maine
- February - April 2003
Evaluated Alpha One's operations policies, procedures and internal controls as an Agency with Choice provider and the feasibility of becoming a Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent FMS provider.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation National Program Office, Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, MA
- January 1999 - December 2002
Developed a template and guidelines for conducting initial readiness reviews and ongoing mid-year and annual performance reviews for Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent FMS providers.
Conducted initial readiness reviews and ongoing mid-year and annual performance reviews of Fiscal/Employer Agents operating in the three Cash and Counseling Demonstration states (AR, FL, and NJ).
Community Access Unlimited, Inc., Elizabeth, New Jersey
- September 2002
Conducted an annual Vendor F/EA FMS Performance Review of CAUs operations and policies and procedures under operating under the New Jersey Personal Preference Program.